Designer & Fashion Insiders Behavior (PLEASE READ POST #1 BEFORE POSTING)

[Sensation]

Riley Montana posted her support for him on her IG:

@bawselaydee sweetheart @themarcjacobs has been nothing but supportive of me since the day I met him. They have posted me on their page every season. They have booked me in every campaign. It's not being proud about a "Instagram" post. I honestly don't give two sh*ts about social media. Its showing love and appreciation back to those who show it to you. You don't see the reaction and love on Marc's face every time him and his team sees me walk out in his clothes so you wouldn't understand. Trust me I understand your frustrations but just know he is one of the few designers(very very very few) that support us black women if you have watched any of his other shows. I probably wouldn't reply to you if it was about anybody else because racism is very prevalent in this world more than ever right now and we have to speak up and fight for each other. It just saddens me with this one because I know he meant no harm and race was far from his thoughts.

 

[Lola701]

The argument is that some black people feel as though he's using something of their culture for "fashion", on mostly white models. Afro hair; especially dreadlocks, have been looked down on and belittled by other communities, so people aren't happy he is using it.

Honestly most of it is just hype, people jump on board anything to call someone out. However, his response was beyond ignorant. He later apologised. I know he's not racist, but i think he should have taken more responsibility and casted more black girls.

It's a shame, because i like the look, and it fit the music at the show. But Jourdan Dunn - who is VERY vocal about racism, did the show and supported it on Instagram. If she's cool with it, it's not a big deal.

That's why i say it's a very american thing. I'm a black woman born in an african french-speaking country, living in France and i don't feel offended by it in any way possible.
He did the Afros for Louis Vuitton with little bows. It was spring 2010 maybe.
Nobody was offended by it. He wasn't targeted as racist or anything closer to it here.

He is maybe one of the few important designer that has always been supportive of models of colors.

I sometimes feel like Social Media instead of elevating conversations on certain issues, try to always find a dirty side on things.

This collection is about celebration.
Kanye's "refugees chic" collection (as named by editors) was much more offending than this. And, it's not because you're black that you're allowed to do reference or make a "chic" interpretation of the awfulness that was the Rwandan Genocide.


Marc's response was stupid but people on social often think that designers are not sensible, educated and aware of things happening in the world. They are maybe too close-minded and not educated enough to set things appart.

Of course, Marc could have done a quirkier Hairstyle for the show but it's done. I hope he'll learn...

 

[Marc10]

Honestly the dreadlocks didn't quite upset me because I know he was just referencing Lana Wachowski and those Burning Man girls instead of a straight clear black appropriation like Valentino and Junya Watanabe did recently. But man, his response couldn't possibly more stupid. He seems clueless about the whole context and WHY people are upset.

"funny how you don't criticize women of color for straightening their hair"

SERIOUSLY?

plumkat.tumblr

 

[Marc10]

And I don't really take Jourdan and Riley's support seriously. I'm sure if they hadn't booked the show they would have different opinions...

 

[Littleathquakes]

I agree, I wish he had just kept his mouth shut. I don't believe the hype, though. That show had quite the diversity (which I was very happy to see), so it's a shame it's mired in such scandal when the diversity should have been celebrated. The media loves to fuel the flame by posting pics of just the white models in dreads when in fact there were more than your usual number of black models in the show. And Jourdan Dunn looked incredible at the show with the dreads.

 

[dior_couture1245]

I seriously do not see the issue with the Marc Jacobs runway hair here. Seems like another example of the internet and it's witch hunt agenda.

Re: Marc's response - whether or not it was articulated in the best way, he has every right to defend himself and his intentions. Which - in these online witch hunts, nobody ever cares to look to the intention of the accused. Life is not black or white. It's all grey matter and I do not believe in knee-jerk crucifying.

 

[modellove]

And I don't really take Jourdan and Riley's support seriously. I'm sure if they hadn't booked the show they would have different opinions...

Exactly. With as vocal jourdan is about race issues, there's no doubt she has a problem with it. But since she's walking she won't say it. Let's make no mistake, if this were Dior jourdan would be alllll over it Even then, just because 2 black women are showing support doesn't mean we should all show support too considering there are HUNDREDS are black women who actually understand why CA is wrong

Yes, maybe it is just a black American thing, but considering Marc is American he has no excuse. At this point in time, everyone knows about cultural appropriation, yet his insisting to use dreads on his non-black models is pure ignorance (not to mention his response). If he wanted all his models to wear dreads, choose an all black cast. Simple

 

[dior_couture1245]

^^Wow.

You're both discrediting Riley's and Jourdan's comments because they were in the show? I can even handle how insensitive and outrageous this attitude is towards Marc and also to Riley and Jourdan. Who are you to speak on their behalf about their motives and invalidate their opinions.

It's insulting and ridiculous and so beyond mean spirited. I hate this witch hunt culture we live in. It's so destructive. You don't know any of these people and yet you're casting such intense judgement.

Very disheartening.

 

[dsamg]

Yes, maybe it is just a black American thing, but considering Marc is American he has no excuse. At this point in time, everyone knows about cultural appropriation, yet his insisting to use dreads on his non-black models is pure ignorance (not to mention his response). If he wanted all his models to wear dreads, choose an all black cast. Simple

I find that to be a very silly comment. Dreads aren't a hairstyle exclusive to black people. My best friend has paler skin than anyone and has trademark dreads that she has had for years. She did not even grow them on purpose but loved them once they were there. My boyfriend was never brushing his hair at one point and it started to turn into dreads within weeks. It is very easy for white people to naturally grow dreads so why would you need an all black cast?

 

[modellove]

I find that to be a very silly comment. Dreads aren't a hairstyle exclusive to black people. My best friend has paler skin than anyone and has trademark dreads that she has had for years. She did not even grow them on purpose but loved them once they were there. My boyfriend was never brushing his hair at one point and it started to turn into dreads within weeks. It is very easy for white people to naturally grow dreads so why would you need an all black cast?

Are you understanding what cultural appropriation means? You saying "my friends hair naturally has them so obviously it's not only for black people" screams ignorance. Can white people have dreads? No one here said they couldn't. If they do it is it curltural appropriation? Absolutely. Dreads are historically a part of black culture. The reason why people call out CA is because of the principle. Black men and women have been wearing dreads for years and have been called ghetto, dirty, etc. Black men and women have lost their jobs, discriminated against in school, etc for historically black hairstyles. All the sudden you put it on someone with paler skin and it's trendy?

 

[modellove]

Also about the all black cast, once again dreads are a part of black culture. If you wanted your entire cast to wear dreads, THEN you would need an all black cast. If not, then he can have his current cast and simply do another hairstyle.

 

[billiejbob]

Are you understanding what cultural appropriation means? You saying "my friends hair naturally has them so obviously it's not only for black people" screams ignorance. Can white people have dreads? No one here said they couldn't. If they do it is it curltural appropriation? Absolutely. Dreads are historically a part of black culture. The reason why people call out CA is because of the principle. Black men and women have been wearing dreads for years and have been called ghetto, dirty, etc. Black men and women have lost their jobs, discriminated against in school, etc for historically black hairstyles. All the sudden you put it on someone with paler skin and it's trendy?

Are you serious??? Maybe look up the cultural background of dreads before stating incorrect facts. Dreads have existed throughout history across many different cultures from Ancient Greece to Hindus in India to even some forms of old Buddhism in Tibet. Dreads is only part of modern day black culture because of the new wave of people wanting to be seen as liberated through the Rasta movement.
Gees, even some ancient Abrahamic figures had dreadlocks.
Dreads are not cultural appropriation in any way shape or form unlike wearing traditional Indian headpieces.

 

[dsamg]

Are you understanding what cultural appropriation means? You saying "my friends hair naturally has them so obviously it's not only for black people" screams ignorance. Can white people have dreads? No one here said they couldn't. If they do it is it curltural appropriation? Absolutely. Dreads are historically a part of black culture. The reason why people call out CA is because of the principle. Black men and women have been wearing dreads for years and have been called ghetto, dirty, etc. Black men and women have lost their jobs, discriminated against in school, etc for historically black hairstyles. All the sudden you put it on someone with paler skin and it's trendy?

It is not to be trendy. It is someone who just doesn't care about fashion or their appearance so never brushed their hair and now has prominent dreads and finds it very comfortable. It is very common in Australia for white blonde surfers to have dreads. It is something that is associated with people that don't style their hair often and therefore it turns into dreads. That isn't cultural appropriation and the proportion of non-Aboriginal black people here is so low that I can guarantee you that very very few white people with dreads stopped brushing their hair because they wanted to look like black people. I see white people with dreads every day as I live in a surfy area and no one here has ever thought anything about cultural appropriation.

Many Americans seem to forget that they are only one country that is part of an entire world. I lived in Paris for years and there was never this cultural appropriation issue between my many black friends and my white friends with dreads. If it is natural for anyone's body to grow it then you don't get to claim it as exclusively yours. Sorry.

 

[modellove]

It is not to be trendy. It is someone who just doesn't care about fashion or their appearance so never brushed their hair and now has prominent dreads and finds it very comfortable. It is very common in Australia for white blonde surfers to have dreads. It is something that is associated with people that don't style their hair often and therefore it turns into dreads. That isn't cultural appropriation and the proportion of non-Aboriginal black people here is so low that I can guarantee you that very very few white people with dreads stopped brushing their hair because they wanted to look like black people. I see white people with dreads every day as I live in a surfy area and no one here has ever thought anything about cultural appropriation.

Many Americans seem to forget that they are only one country that is part of an entire world. I lived in Paris for years and there was never this cultural appropriation issue between my many black friends and my white friends with dreads. If it is natural for anyone's body to grow it then you don't get to claim it as exclusively yours. Sorry.

Youre seriously not understanding. While that's very very awesome that you lived in Paris with people who had dreads, that doesn't justify the fact that in America, cultural appropriation is very very real. First off, it's not 'natural' for anyone's body to grow it, so I'm not sure where you're trying to go with that logic. Second, the ignorance of that statement is astounding. Once again, you have no idea what CULTURAL appropriation means. That doesn't mean anyone can't literally get that hairstyle. Don't brush your hair for a while and it'll start to form. I've been down that road before. It's just not a part of their CULTURE. This has nothing to do with white people wanting to be black. Not sure why you put that.

While black people get fired from their job, kicked out of school, get dress coded in school, bullied, and get called any negative stereotype in the book, you put it on a white person and suddenly it's cool. That's why people get up in arms about it.

 

[modellove]

Are you serious??? Maybe look up the cultural background of dreads before stating incorrect facts. Dreads have existed throughout history across many different cultures from Ancient Greece to Hindus in India to even some forms of old Buddhism in Tibet. Dreads is only part of modern day black culture because of the new wave of people wanting to be seen as liberated through the Rasta movement.
Gees, even some ancient Abrahamic figures had dreadlocks.
Dreads are not cultural appropriation in any way shape or form unlike wearing traditional Indian headpieces.

Yes and even before any of that, dreads we're a part of Ancient black culture in Africa. Believe it or not I know my facts, including the tired ones you're trying to give me, as if that's somehow justification for Marc putting dreads on his models and his ignorant response .

 

[billiejbob]

Yes and even before any of that, dreads we're a part of Ancient black culture in Africa. Believe it or not I know my facts, including the tired ones you're trying to give me, as if that's somehow justification for Marc putting dreads on his models and his ignorant response .

First of all, what part of black culture in Africa? Africa has many cultures so please narrow it down then. Second of all, so any other culture, ethnicity, race or society that has adopted dreads throughout history is culturally appropriating them? In all honesty, this is one of the silliest arguments I have ever heard.
Like the example dsamg mentiones, are surfers who have dreads culturally appropriating them in that case?
If you're using that reasoning then all the other comments referring to the cultural appropriation of straightening hair etc should then apply...which is utterly ridiculous!

 

[TREVOFASHIONISTO]

Honestly the dreadlocks didn't quite upset me because I know he was just referencing Lana Wachowski and those Burning Man girls instead of a straight clear black appropriation like Valentino and Junya Watanabe did recently. But man, his response couldn't possibly more stupid. He seems clueless about the whole context and WHY people are upset.

"funny how you don't criticize women of color for straightening their hair"

SERIOUSLY?

plumkat.tumblr

this is my exactly feeling towards it. im black, and i wasnt offended by the hair at all. this is literally what ravers in the 90s/burners today look like. yes dreads have a very long history dating back to the motherland, but i dont think that was the point here in this collection. i dont think he should have opened his mouth. thats where he ends up sounding extremely ignorant

 

[modellove]

First of all, what part of black culture in Africa? Africa has many cultures so please narrow it down then. Second of all, so any other culture, ethnicity, race or society that has adopted dreads throughout history is culturally appropriating them? In all honesty, this is one of the silliest arguments I have ever heard.
Like the example dsamg mentiones, are surfers who have dreads culturally appropriating them in that case?
If you're using that reasoning then all the other comments referring to the cultural appropriation of straightening hair etc should then apply...which is utterly ridiculous!

Ah the straight hair argument. How tired. First off, straight hair is genetic. Meaning, there are POC that have naturally straight hair. Let's not act like white people created it. Straight (or blonde, since that seems to be another pseudo-argument going around) is not and never will be appropriation for the same reason why curly/wavy hair isn't. It has do with with your genetic makeup as opposed to something your entire culture created. So no, the straightening your hair argument is not and will never be conducive to any talk about appropriation.

And you're correct, there are many countries in Africa with many cultures. Specifically (though not limited to) countries such as Ancient Egypt, Nigeria, and kenya have had a long history with dreadlocks.

 

[Lola701]

I think it's interesting to see many point of view on the question. It's a very tricky subject because obviously, America and Europe don't really have the same issues with race and all the questions around it.

We can only agree to disagree. In Europe, those are not really questions that we asked to ourselves. We don't have such a thing. Neither in Africa ( at least, from what i know...Central Africa).
I can understand why some african-american person were offended by it even if i don't identify with that at all.

 

[dsamg]

Youre seriously not understanding. While that's very very awesome that you lived in Paris with people who had dreads, that doesn't justify the fact that in America, cultural appropriation is very very real. First off, it's not 'natural' for anyone's body to grow it, so I'm not sure where you're trying to go with that logic. Second, the ignorance of that statement is astounding. Once again, you have no idea what CULTURAL appropriation means. That doesn't mean anyone can't literally get that hairstyle. Don't brush your hair for a while and it'll start to form. I've been down that road before. It's just not a part of their CULTURE. This has nothing to do with white people wanting to be black. Not sure why you put that.

While black people get fired from their job, kicked out of school, get dress coded in school, bullied, and get called any negative stereotype in the book, you put it on a white person and suddenly it's cool. That's why people get up in arms about it.

YOU have no idea what it means. The definition of cultural appropriation is that 'elements are copied from a minority culture by members of the dominant culture, and these elements are used outside of their original cultural context.' Dreads have been part of many cultures through history and the African American people's association with dreads is not their original cultural context. It is what YOU associate it with because it is in your country. That doesn't make it the only context.

A lot of Aboriginals have dreads and I would definitely associate it with them over African Americans but they are still not who I primarily associate dreads with. When I think dreads, I think hippie blonde surfers smoking weed. I live in an area of Australia where locs are very much part of the beach culture and it is in no way cultural appropriation. They are not copying these elements from Aboriginals or Torres Strait Islanders or African Americans or whoever. It is just a hairstyle that is ingrown into the culture because it represents an anti establishment look and a look where you are just too cool to care about your hair. Nothing to do with copying.

Dreads are no one's to claim. The origins of dreads are primarily Egyptian and Greek. That is the original context. If you want to scream cultural appropriation and claim to know the definition then the only real place anyone is appropriating dreads from is Egypt. Except, all origin stories vary and therefore no one culture is able to claim them. They have been part of so many cultures - Roman, Germanic, Viking, Israeli etc.

Dreadlocks are more than just a symbolic statement of disregard for physical appearance. Both Eastern and Western Traditions hold that bodily, mental and spiritual energies mainly exit the body through the top of the head and the hair. If the hair is knotted, they believe, the energy remains within the hair and the body, keeping a person more strong and healthy.

An excellent example from Western tradition is biblical Sampson, whose unsurpassed strength was lost when Delilah cut off his *seven* locks of hair. In classical India, all students on the spiritual path were directly enjoined by their scriptures to develop Dreadlocks as a means to detach them from physical vanity and aid them in the development of bodily strength and supernatural mental and spiritual powers.

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